Leon slowly opened his eyes, the warm, amber rays of the evening sun filtering through the window, casting a soft glow across his room. He blinked several times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and confusion that lingered in his mind. It took him a moment to fully grasp where he was; his familiar surroundings were a comforting sight. He realized he must have fainted and slept for several hours, exhausted.
As he shifted slightly, he felt a gentle weight beside him. Turning his gaze, he found Mumu curled up against him, clutching the fabric of his shirt tight in his small, delicate fingers. The child's face was peaceful in slumber, a stark contrast to the worry that had clouded Leon's mind before his fainting spell.
With a sense of urgency, Leon pulled out his phone and messaged Laya, knowing she would come quickly. Moments later, she appeared at the door, concern etched across her features.
"How are you?" she asked loud, worried. "You fainted this morning..."
Leon raised a finger to his lips, urging her to keep her voice down as he nodded toward Mumu. "I'm fine now, just needed some rest," he replied in a low tone, trying to reassure her.
Laya's expression softened as she glanced down at the sleeping child. "Mumu was so worried about you. He cried when he saw you collapsed on the floor. I could only calm him down by letting him stay with you," she explained gently.
Leon felt a pang of guilt, knowing how much the little boy cared for him. "Hmmm… and what about Mira?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice as he met Laya's gaze.
"I've stationed our people at the hospital," she assured him, her tone serious yet calming. "They'll keep you updated on every development regarding her condition."
"Okay…" Leon sighed, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. He knew he needed to take care of himself, not just for his own sake but for Mumu and Mira as well.
Laya gently took Mumu back to his room, leaving Leon alone in the silent room. The door clicked shut behind them, a finality that echoed in his mind. With heavy steps, Leon made his way toward the bathroom, his heart pounding like a drum in the quiet.
Leon flicked on the tap, and water gushed forth, filling the bathtub with a relentless rush. He watched the water rise, his reflection wavering amidst the ripples—a haunting image of himself, lost and adrift. As the tub filled, so did his despair; it spilled over the edges, cascading down, mirroring the chaos inside him. The water began to overflow, a symbolic cascade of his own emotions spilling out, filling the room with a quiet chaos.
He stepped into the tub, his drenched clothes clinging to him like a shroud. The cold water enveloped him, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed to wash away the pain. He closed his eyes and submerged himself, allowing the weight of his thoughts to pull him under. Memories flooded his mind—moments of joy twisted into shadows of regret.
It was here, beneath the surface, that he confronted his demons: he was clearing his mind, desperately trying to align his thoughts. As he fought to regain control amidst the turmoil, he felt the suffocating embrace of despair, but in that darkness, a flicker of resolve ignited within him.
With a newfound resolve, he stood up, water dripping from him like the tears he refused to shed. He walked out of the tub, his clothes heavy and soaked, yet his mind was sharper than ever. The sadness lingered, but it transformed into determination. Leon had made his decision, a path laden with uncertainty to know the truth.